Jim and Jamie Dutcher — wolf experts, authors and photographers — have spent the past two decades studying wolf behavior, and the past several actually living with them (lucky!), specifically the famous Sawtooth pack at the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho.

Puppies maintain and develop their own pup hierarchy for their first few years of life, and their ranks are established early. (Jim and Jamie Dutcher, National Geographic Stock)

This gave them incredible access to take photos and observe their habits, as well as watch how they reacted to the birth of pups and the death of pack members. The Dutchers share all of this with respectful scientists’ understanding of remaining detached and avoiding anthropomorphism, but they also can’t help conveying the same enthusiasm so many of us have for these beautiful, mesmerizing animals.